Frankenmuth River Place

Bavarian-style food and architecture are ubiquitous in Frankenmuth, especially at the Frankenmuth River Place, where 40 specialty shops include The Michigan Shoppe, Let's Talk Girl Talk, Hello Cats and Dogs, and For Bare Feet. Parking is plentiful, too, which is handy for exploring nearby Main Street. frankenmuthriverplace.com

Lorenz Lutheran Church

German settlers splurged to build the postcard-pretty 1880 Gothic St. Lorenz Lutheran Church. Whether you take a self-guided tour, sit quietly in a pew or take in the annual Christmas concert, you'll find a welcome respite. Across the street, visitors can see a replica of the original log cabin church and two German-cast bells brought to Frankenmuth in 1845. stlorenz.org

Rau's Country Store

An old-fashioned pickle barrel, penny candy, vintage metal advertising signs, linens and lace, and nostalgia-theme lunch boxes are just some of the things you'll find inside Rau's Country Store. The Frankenmuth shop, located inside a century-old former hotel, stuffs its finds in what feels like a quirky maze. rauscountrystore.com

Castle Museum of Saginaw County

Cleverly crafted exhibits at the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History show how an 1898 French-style castle that once housed a post office can become an amazing place to learn area history. The $1 adult admission is the best deal around. castlemuseum.org

Marv Herzog Hotel

Polka music fans-or just people who appreciate its fun-stay at the Marv Herzog Hotel, named for the late bandleader who hailed from Frankenmuth. A cozy lobby holds his memorabilia. Enjoy below-ground parking, happy hour and a hot breakfast. marvherzoghotel.com

Zehnder's

One million customers a year feast on Zehnder's all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners. The spread -- chicken soup, cabbage salad, cranberry relish, cottage cheese and apple butter -- is right out of a grandma's cookbook. zehnders.com

Bay City downtown scene

The downtown waterfront in nearby Bay City has evolved from a gritty lumberjack hangout in the 1800s to a hotbed for great antiquing and shopping. Bars, restaurants, clothing shops and galleries round out the mix, which appeals to nearby condo dwellers and tourists. downtownbaycity.com

Jake's Old City Grill

For the best option in fine dining in the region, try the pan-seared walleye, a succulent steak and a standout martini at Jake's Old City Grill in Saginaw. You'll also find a generous wine list and locally crafted microbrews in this old cornerstone building that sports hardwood floors, brick walls and large windows overlooking the street.